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Mary Teresa's Call and Vision
for Iontas
"The single
greatest need for the survival of Earth or of the human community in
the twenty-first century is for the integral telling of the great
story of the Universe. This story must provide in our times what
the mythic stories of earlier times provided as the guiding and
energising sources of the human venture." (Thomas
Berry)
My
call is to
relate the New Story of Creation while supporting the blossoming of
life-giving community where this new and vital understanding of
reality can be creatively explored, integrated and ritualised.
My call is
guided by the three fundamental Principles of the Universe. These
Principles identify the values and the direction in which the
Universe is proceeding. They are:
-
Diversity: To be is to be
different which we celebrate
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Interiority: To trust the
deepest longing that resides in the heart
-
Communion: Everything and
everyone belongs
My
vision is to
root Iontas, Centre for Awakening Consciousness in the local
community life of Cahir. It is a creative space (seating over 100
people) where people can
-
Experience their belonging
in community
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Grow in understanding of the
New Cosmology
-
Blossom into an ecologically
sensitive learning community
-
Develop the art of
meditation as the path to presence
-
Integrate creative art forms
for physical, mental and spiritual discipline
This vision is supported in
Cahir in respect of the many people who are journeying into
this New Consciousness. It is a beautiful location with its
river, walkways, woods and parklands as well as being convenient to
bus and rail.
From its beginnings a growing
number of people have continued to invest time and energy in the
birthing of Iontas. A core group of 12 local people are
exploring with me practical ways as to how they can take ownership
of and responsibility for this new venture. As we grow
in appreciation of our belonging to one another in Earth community
we are journeying into how to best open the wonderful resource that
is Iontas to a
variety of expressions of the New Story which reach out to the local
community and
beyond.
Mary Teresa
McCormack (12-3-2010) |
